Salt Water Measurement

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:02 pm

When I mix salt water I've always just guest the amount of Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix and I usually go a little bit overboard because www.HERMIT-CRABS.com said that if the salt level is too high then the Hermit Crab can balance it out by using the fresh water is this OK ? Also if that is OK for most Hermit Crabs is it still OK for Strawberries that need to fully submerge ?

Willow · Post by **Willow** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:17 pm

I don't know if guessing will provide the proper measurements. That might work for PPs, since salt water isn't as crucial for them, but Straws are so sensitive, I wouldn't risk it. I use 3/4 cup of salt mix per gallon of water for the Straws. Yes, if it's too strong they can dilute it themselves, so it is better to mix it too strong than to mix it too weak. But I really think you should start measuring it a bit more exactly, just so you aren't risking your Straw's health.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:54 pm

Willow wrote: I use 3/4 cup of salt mix per gallon of water for the Straws. Yes, if it's too strong they can dilute it themselves, so it is better to mix it too strong than to mix it too weak.

Me too.....And I use Oceanic Brand, also.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:12 pm

From the FAQs over to the right:

Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix
package to make 5 gallons indicates .29 lbs/gallon. I measured the package and it was approximately 2 1/2 cups. Which is 1/2 cup per gallon or 8 TBSP

* 1 1/2 tsp per 8 oz (1 cup) water
* 1 TBSP per 16 oz (1 pint)
* 2 TBSP per 32 oz (1 quart)
* 4 TBSP per 64 oz (1/2 gallon)
* 8 TBSP per 128 oz (1 gallon)

*This is the salt I am currently using and 8 TBSP makes a specific gravity of 1.021. I use an additional tablespoon to raise the SG for my C. Perlatus. I also provide Doc Wellfish crystals in the food dish as well.

Its up to you how salty you want it and too salty is better than not that salty, but you should probably at least measure how much salt you're putting in, just so you can be sure you're doing the right thing

.

KeY+

Kilimanjaro · Post by **Kilimanjaro** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:36 pm

Recently it has been upsized from 1/2 of a cup per gallon to 3/4 - 1 cup per gallon. I usually go about 3/4 (and sometimes a little over).

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:43 am

Thanx much I'll be more exact from now one

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:02 am

Kilimanjaro wrote:Recently it has been upsized from 1/2 of a cup per gallon to 3/4 - 1 cup per gallon. I usually go about 3/4 (and sometimes a little over).

wait, I didn't get the memo

KeY+

glacier44 · Post by **glacier44** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:00 pm

The suggested amount of Oceanic brand been changed to 3/4 cup/Gallon for all species, not just Straws?

I would like more input on this as I've been using the 1/2 Cup/Gallon for over a year now. If it has changed we should update the FAQ on Mixing Saltwater.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:29 pm

I think they should

Willow · Post by **Willow** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:30 pm

1/2 cup per gallon is the correct measurement to make the water as salty as the ocean. This is the measurement that marine fish keepers use (except in larger quantities, of course). I hadn't heard about using extra salt for species other than Straws, but I do know it won't hurt them, either. Probably it is better to use more, like I said, they can always dilute it with fresh water if they need to.

glacier44 · Post by **glacier44** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:13 pm

ok cool

maybe I'll bump up my mix a bit and see how they like it. Thanks for the new info!

Kilimanjaro · Post by **Kilimanjaro** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:46 pm

keybowvio wrote: wait, I didn't get the memo

KeY+

Found the thread at last! Here was the update to 3/4 cup.